2:03 p.m. ET: "I have to tell you I’m happy today, I hope you’re happy today," Romney says at his campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia to cheers. "I know that the Democrats are working very hard today. They're pulling out all their books and they're looking at every vote and they're interviewing everybody in his neighborhood. They're not going to find anything."

1:58 p.m. ET: Ryan lists Romney's credentials, including leadership of the 2002 Olympics and governorship of Massachusetts, and criticizes Obama's tenure in office. "We’ve seen that hope and change has become attack and blame," under Obama, Ryan said.

1:54 p.m. ET: "We’re at that proverbial fork in the road. We have the choice of two futures ahead of us," Ryan at a campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia.

1:52 p.m. ET: Romney and Ryan are taking the stage at a campaign rally in Ashland, Virginia.

1:28 p.m. ET: The Obama campaign released a statement saying Vice President Joe Biden called Ryan "earlier today to congratulate him on his selection and welcome him to the race. The Vice President urged Congressman Ryan to enjoy the day with his family, and said he looked forward to engaging him on the clear choice voters face this November."

1:24 p.m. ET: CNN's Chris Welch reports that former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who was considered to be on Romney's short list, said in Manchester, New Hampshire Ryan is "a bold leader with great ideas for trying to get this country back on track, and I think he and Governor Romney together will make a great team." Full Story

In July, Romney's campaign and the RNC raised $101.3 million - an average of $3.4 million per day. Most of that, however, was raised at high-dollar fund-raisers.

12:35 p.m. ET: Former President George W. Bush issued this statement, distributed by Romney's campaign:

"This is a strong pick. Governor Romney is serious about confronting the long-term challenges facing America, and Paul Ryan will help him solve the difficult issues that must be addressed for future generations."

12:26 a.m. ET: Republicans are piling praise on Romney for his choice of Rep. Ryan as his running mate. One prominent name yet to weigh in, however, is the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Democrats are also reacting, slamming Ryan for his budget plan and tax proposals.

"Rep. Paul Ryan admits that he is the poster child for controversial proposals to reform the nation's entitlement programs: For workers now under the age of 55, seniors would be given the option of choosing a private program instead of the traditional Medicare program and would receive money to offset the premium they have to pay. Federal spending for Medicaid would be sent to the states to manage, and the Social Security retirement age would gradually be raised to 70."

Another analysis, from New Yorker Washington Correspondent and CNN Contributor Ryan Lizza: "Romney has made the most daring decision of his political career. After spending weeks looking into Ryan’s history for The New Yorker, visiting his home town, and interviewing him twice, I am genuinely surprised that Romney chose him."

11:57 a.m. ET:

Wow, Mittsters break land speed record trying to distance from radical Ryan budget. Problem: it looks just like Mitt's!
abcn.ws/Pb7vAs

11:08 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney introduced Paul Ryan as his running mate on the U.S.S. Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia, home of the largest naval base in the world. Yet the 2012 election marks the first time in 70 years that all four candidates vying for the White House haven't had any military experience.

10:50 a.m. ET: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, another Republican previously considered a top pick for Romney's running mate, released the following statement Saturday:
"Paul is a good friend and one of the smartest guys I served with in Congress. He has the courage of his convictions, which is what our nation needs."

10:41 a.m. ET: Perspectives from around the web on Romney's pick of Ryan as his running mate:

Julian Zelizer on CNN.com: "The decision excites many conservatives who have been calling on Romney to go big. They believe Ryan will inject some juice into a campaign they feel has been lackluster and put the focus on the policy differences between Romney and President Obama."

John Podhoretz at Commentary Magazine: "The speech vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan delivered this morning gives a sense of the quality you get from being in a room with him: He’s not a fire-breather."

Wendell Potter on iWatch News: "If Americans who are embracing Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Path to Prosperity” — and that now includes Mitt Romney — spent a few minutes reviewing a few recent research reports, they just might conclude that the Wisconsin Republican’s plan to reduce the deficit might better be renamed the “Path to the Poorhouse” because of what it would mean to the Medicare program and many senior citizens."

Paul Begala at the Daily Beast: "With Ryan, Romney Has the Plutocrat Ticket"

10:25 a.m. ET: More from Beth Myers, who led Romney's search for a running mate. She spoke exclusively with CNN Chief Political Analyst Gloria Borger.

10:18 a.m. ET: President Barack Obama's campaign already has a webpage in place tearing apart the newly formed GOP ticket.

"Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney both support trillions in budget-busting tax cuts for millionaires that will result in tax hikes on the middle class and deep cuts in education and other investments we need to grow," the page begins.

Responding to the Democrats' attacks on Ryan, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said on CNN: "It's nothing but smear tactics, once again, because President Obama doesn’t want ot talk about his economic record."

10:14 a.m. ET: What has Obama said about Ryan's budget plan? He slammed it in April, calling it "thinly-veiled Social Darwinism."

"It is antithetical to our entire history as a land of opportunity and upward mobility for everyone who's willing to work for it - a place where prosperity doesn't trickle down from the top, but grows outward from the heart of the middle class," Obama said.

"What he wants is a couple things," Myers said. "First of all, he wants all the information, and we went about a very thorough process in making sure we had a lot of information about a broad group. He also doesn't like to rule anything out until he has to."

10:07 a.m. ET:

according to Romney internal talking points, Romney will not embrace the Ryan plan

10:00 a.m. ET: Romney's slip-up when he introduced Ryan as "the next president of the United States" isn't the first time a presidential candidate made that mistake. Then-candidate Obama introduced Joe Biden in 2008 by saying "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president - of the United States of America, Joe Biden!"

9:44 a.m. ET: Ryan is finishing up his speech by listing his perceived contrasts between the GOP ticket and the Democrats: "We won't duck the tough issues, we will lead! We won't blame others, we will take responsibility! We won't replace our founding principles, we will reapply them!"

9:42 a.m. ET: Ryan: "We Americans look at one another's success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted."

9:41 a.m.

random thoughts: how will this pick affect P90X stock? new trail fashion - tie or jacket but not both?

9:39 a.m. ET: Ryan, to cheers: "I'm proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in the economy. That knows if you have a small business, you did build that."

That's a reference to a speech Obama gave in July. Here's the full quote from Obama:

"If you are successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet."

9:37 a.m. ET: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, previously considered a top VP pick for Romney, released the following statement Saturday:

"Congressman Ryan is a respected leader and a bold thinker regarding the changes needed to restore America. His selection will also help Governor Romney win the key swing state of Wisconsin. I am excited about a Romney-Ryan ticket and look forward to doing all I can to help them win this election."

9:34 a.m. ET: Ryan: "My dad died when I was young. He was a good and decent man. He said you’re either part of the problem or part of the solution. Pres Obama has become part of the problem, not the solution."

9:32 a.m. ET: Ryan: I am committed in heart and mind to putting my experience to work in a Romney administration.

9:31 a.m. ET:

Then Romney puts his arm around Ryan and says, "Every once in awhile I make a mistake." Comedy Central producers cheer.

9:30 a.m. ET: Ryan, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt with no tie, says "Gov. Romney is the man for this moment."

9:29 a.m. ET: Romney corrected his mistake: "I'm known to make a mistake every once and a while. I didn't make a mistake with this guy."

9:28 a.m. ET: Romney introduced Ryan as "The next president of the United States." (Yes he said "president" not "vice president") Ryan walked on stage to the same music as Romney.

9:27 a.m. ET: Romney: "Today's a good day for America, and there are better days ahead"

9:25 a.m. ET: President Barack Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina released the following statement as Romney was speaking Saturday, reacting to Romney's choice of Ryan as his running mate.

“In naming Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney has chosen a leader of the House Republicans who shares his commitment to the flawed theory that new budget-busting tax cuts for the wealthy, while placing greater burdens on the middle class and seniors, will somehow deliver a stronger economy. The architect of the radical Republican House budget, Ryan, like Romney, proposed an additional $250,000 tax cut for millionaires, and deep cuts in education from Head Start to college aid. His plan also would end Medicare as we know it by turning it into a voucher system, shifting thousands of dollars in health care costs to seniors. As a member of Congress, Ryan rubber-stamped the reckless Bush economic policies that exploded our deficit and crashed our economy. Now the Romney-Ryan ticket would take us back by repeating the same, catastrophic mistakes.”

9:22 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney officially announced Ryan as his running mate, saying his "integrity in unquestioned and his word is good."

9:19 a.m. ET: Gov. McDonnell introduced Mitt Romney to cheers. Romney walked down a set of stairs on the U.S.S. Wisconsin to sweeping orchestral music - a change from his normal country western soundtrack.

9:16 a.m. ET: Gov. McDonnell is warming up the crowd in Norfolk, slamming President Barack Obama for what he said were policies harmful to small businesses.

9:13 a.m. ET: As Romney prepares to name Ryan as his running mate, Democrats will be eager to pounce on Ryan's controversial budget plan. Read more about Democrats' past criticisms of Ryan's plan here.

8:56 a.m. ET: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, also previously mentioned as a potential running mate for Romney, will speak in Norfolk ahead of the presumptive GOP nominee and his vice presidential pick.

8:54 a.m. ET: Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, previously considered a top choice for Romney's running mate, released a statement Saturday wishing Ryan the best:

"Mitt Romney has made a great choice in Paul Ryan. He is an accomplished public servant and a leading voice on the most pressing issues facing our country. Paul is one of my best friends in Congress and someone I have worked closely with as a former colleague on the House Ways & Means Committee."

"Jane and I wish Paul and Janna and their kids the very best. As the Chairman of the Romney campaign in Ohio, I look forward to working with Paul to ensure that the Romney-Ryan ticket carries Ohio and is victorious in November. Most importantly, as a member of the Senate, I look forward to working closely with a Romney-Ryan Administration to restore fiscal sanity and enact pro-growth policies to create jobs."

8:52 a.m. ET: Before Romney and Ryan took the stage in Norfolk, former Virginia Gov. George Allen rallied the crowd. Allen is locked in a battle for a U.S. Senate seat with Tim Kaine, also a former Virginia governor and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

8:49 a.m. ET:

Will be interesting to see, starting today, if Ryan can sell his plan to America as well as he did to GOP. #CNN

8:35 a.m. ET: The Romney campaign released excerpts from Rep. Ryan's speech in Norfolk, slated to start at 9 a.m. ET (watch live on CNN or here). More excerpts to come.

Ryan will say: "I believe my record of getting things done in Congress will be a very helpful complement to Governor Romney’s executive and private sector success outside Washington. I have worked closely with Republicans as well as Democrats to advance an agenda of economic growth, fiscal discipline, and job creation."

"I’m proud to stand with a man who understands what it takes to foster job creation in our economy, someone who knows from experience, that if you have a small business—you did build that."

8:34 a.m. ET:

Campaign is still planning on 9a start time for Romney/Ryan event. Romney is here at event site.

Ryan Lizza (New Yorker Washington correspondent and CNN contributor) wrote of Ryan earlier this month: "Tall and wiry, with a puff of wavy dark hair, he is nearly as well known in Washington for his punishing early-morning workouts as he is for his mastery of the federal budget.

The Wall Street Journal editorial page, earlier this week: "His working-class roots and middle American values would counter the stereotype of Mr. Romney as too rich and disconnected to average concerns."

8:16 a.m. ET:FROM CNN IREPORT:
Rick Huffman, a conservative iReporter in Saint Joseph, Michigan, says it's "very good news." He wanted Marco Rubio for Romney's VP but says Ryan is a good choice. "With him next to Romney, my hopes are even higher that Romney will win this election."

7:13 a.m. ET:Here's an image of the message Romney sent to supporters announcing Ryan as his VP pick.

7:07 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney's campaign sent an official announcement on their smart phone app announcing Ryan as the vice presidential pick. "Mitt's choice for VP is Paul Ryan. Spread the word about America's Comeback Team #RomneyRyan2012," the message read.

7:05 a.m. ET: As Mitt Romney prepares to unveil his running mate pick Saturday morning, recent polls show President Barack Obama has expanded his margin over the presumptive GOP nominee.

According to a CNN/ORC International survey released Thursday, 52% of registered voters say they would support the president, while 45% are backing Romney.

6:56 a.m. ET: Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaigned together in Wisconsin ahead of the state's April 3 GOP primary. They also happened to be campaigning together on April Fools Day. Here's a look at what ensued.

6:52 a.m. ET: Polls show Americans are largely unsure of Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee. A CNN/ORC International survey taken August 7-8 showed 54% of those polled saying they didn't know enough about Ryan to form an opinion. Twenty-seven percent said they viewed the Wisconsin congressman favorably and 19% viewed him unfavorably. Read more on brand new polling numbers on Ryan here.

6:50 a.m. ET: Who is Paul Ryan? For starters, he's considered a rising GOP star and the Republican Party's leader on fiscal and budgetary issues. Read more here.

soundoff(821 Responses)

So the next the next Republican President will be Marco"Polo" Rubio in 2016........

August 11, 2012 02:00 pm at 2:00 pm |

Anonymous

ratas del mismo pinal cayman del mismo pozo ambos

August 11, 2012 02:01 pm at 2:01 pm |

Yougottobekiddingme

Ryan is a hypocreature and a liar. Wrong for America

August 11, 2012 02:01 pm at 2:01 pm |

Samson

So we're expecting the Republican party to fix what they broke during the Bush years?? Really? Most Americans must have really short term memory. After the Bush years the part should have been done for and a new one introduced.

August 11, 2012 02:02 pm at 2:02 pm |

manning El Paso, TX

Romney & Ryan, the team to slaughter the poor and middle class Inc
What a team Romney the king of outsourcing to China, Paul Ryan the sledges of Medicare and Social Security and universal heath insurance, medicate, both in favor of cutting tax to the rich, with this guys the middle class and poor are going to be bang horribly. Romney needs to show his tax, No man is so rich for the office of US president.

August 11, 2012 02:02 pm at 2:02 pm |

Yougottobekiddingme

We are going to restore greatness to the rich f-N the poor elderly or the sick and disable.
"We are going to restore Greatness to American once again" Slavery

August 11, 2012 02:03 pm at 2:03 pm |

doug

Walk down the streets of downtown Detroit, or Newark at 1am tonight, if you want all of America to be just like this, for all of us to live in these poverty stricken warzones of the great society then by all means vote Obama.

August 11, 2012 02:14 pm at 2:14 pm |

Roscoe

OMG, "the most extreme budget plan passed by a House of Congress in modern times." With Mitt Romney's support, Ryan would end Medicare as we know it and slash the investments we need to keep our economy growing - all while cutting taxes for those at the very top.

August 11, 2012 02:14 pm at 2:14 pm |

calvin

Really Doug, Thiese cities just became bad under President Obama-What world are u living in? There are going to be bad citeis, people no matter what party is voted-democrat, republican, etc. Get real

August 11, 2012 02:23 pm at 2:23 pm |

Bob Van

Ryan will not end Medicare, They will fix it even if it causes some slight pain because without a fix we we will all be without it, dont you get it , It is going broke. and even the Presidents council says it needs fixing.
But even though The leading Democrates know it needs fixing they will still demonize Romney and Ryan over it simply becuse their own political butts come befor it.

August 11, 2012 02:28 pm at 2:28 pm |

jchuber

Now we know for sure that the "rich red neck republicans" plan on throwing everybody else under the bus. If you are not independently wealth, you will be in trouble. Programs like social security, medicare/medicade, unemployment insurance/benefits, and most other programs will be curailed or eliminated.

I don't agree with everything obama has done, but he is a far better choice. I do not want the US returning to an aristocarcy:where a few elite citizens control a majority of the power.

August 11, 2012 02:40 pm at 2:40 pm |

NATHAN WIMBERLY

Those in the extremist right wing hate echo chamber are giddy today. They never saw it coming in 2006 and 2008 so why should this year be different?

August 11, 2012 02:41 pm at 2:41 pm |

Woman In California

Ryan is nothing but Willard's FALL GUY. By placing Ryan out there, it takes the media's focus from where it should be on Willard, and squarely on Ryan. Ryan does nothing more than PROVIDE A PAPER TRAIL for the media to go through so that the hound dogs can't smell Romney. This was a smart move by Romney, but once the media gets wise to this bait and switch tactic (and they will), they will return, once again, to the issue of his tax returns and then it will be game over. .

August 11, 2012 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

beau

The Ryan choice is EXCELLENT
Ryan has the courage to challenge Big socialist government programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Politicians have been deathly afraid to challenge senior citizens on Social Security and Medicare because they are such a powerful voting block
But Senior Citizens have been feeding at the government trough for too long.
It's time Seniors learned that nothing is "Free" and that WELFARE FOR THE ELDERLY is no different from welfare for the poor.
American seniors are just going to have to learn to save their money and rely on themselves in their old age.
NO MORE GOVERNMENT HANDOUTS TO SENIORS
It's time to end the two biggest socialist programs in the federal government....MEDICARE and SOCIAL SECURITY.
And the Romney/Ryan team is the ones to do it.
You are going to pay your way now old people, no more free lunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

August 11, 2012 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

drake mallard

Ryan wants to raises taxes on the middle class, cut them for millionaires.

Ryan’s budget would result in 4.1 million lost jobs in 2 years.

Ryan has ownership stakes in companies that benefit from oil supports $40 billion in subsides for big oil.

Ryan accused generals of lying about their support for Obama’s military budget.

Ryan wants to eliminate Pell Grants for more more than 1 million students.

Ryan embraces the extreme philosophy of Ayn Rand

Ryan co-sponsored a “personhood” amendment, an extreme anti-abortion measure
.
Ryan believes that Romneycare is “not that dissimilar to Obamacare.

August 11, 2012 03:04 pm at 3:04 pm |

drake mallard

Ryan is not that popular so Wisconsin is not a given. Paul Ryan also took advantage of the very programs he's determined to end and make no mistake, Ryan is ambitious and doesn't care about the middle class. His sights are set much higher.

.

August 11, 2012 03:15 pm at 3:15 pm |

J

Mitt & Paul = "R&R"; Rest and Relaxation for the rich and under paid and over worked for the middle class. Sounds familiar?

August 11, 2012 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |

lil old me

i just don't understand the republican party vp choices.

i thought mccain should have choosen joe libermann.

mitt should have choosen rubio or one of the leading brilliant females. but what do i know.

they should at least attempted to show there are not the old white man's southerners party by allowing some diversity, as it is 2012. well, they will get the white aryan party vote, and many of the southern white male vote, plus all the minorities that hate themselves vote, so who knows.

August 11, 2012 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |

Lizzie

Still hope Mr. Romney can provide more tax returns, I think it would be helpful for him not to look sneaky as that is the perception he has within my professional circles.

August 11, 2012 03:43 pm at 3:43 pm |

When was Mitt a key person?

Cool – no way Romneys going to win, but now we get Ryan out of congess. Double win!

August 11, 2012 03:51 pm at 3:51 pm |

Jane

"I worship the ground Paul Ryan walks on". D. Cheney. A rare case of the Devil doing the worshiping, instead of the other way round.